New Delhi, May 6, 2026: Mizoram Sports and Youth Services Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar held a key meeting with Hari Ranjan Rao, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and Director General of the Sports Authority of India, at the SAI Headquarters in New Delhi to discuss strategies for advancing sports development in the state, with a special focus on hockey.
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| Mizoram Sports Minister Lalnghinglova Hmar meets Sports Authority of India officials in New Delhi to discuss strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting hockey development in the state. (Image: DIPR Mizoram) |
During the meeting, the minister highlighted Mizoram’s sporting potential and stressed the need to revive hockey as a competitive discipline in the state. He noted that while Mizoram has traditionally excelled in sports, hockey - once actively played - has seen a decline in recent years. Emphasising its importance, Hmar said hockey offers a strong pathway for athletes to secure international medals for India.
He pointed to the success of the women’s hockey training programme at Thenzawl, describing it as a model worth expanding. The minister proposed the establishment of a similar training system for men, aiming to strengthen the state’s contribution to national hockey development.
Under the “Empowering Mizoram Sports” initiative, Hmar also proposed setting up additional SAI Training Centres in the state across four key disciplines - hockey, badminton, archery, and wrestling. He urged the Centre to support infrastructure development and capacity-building measures to nurture young talent.
Responding to the proposals, Hari Ranjan Rao assured that all possible support would be extended to promote hockey and improve sports infrastructure in Mizoram. He emphasised optimal utilisation of existing facilities and called for enhancing training quality. He also reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to strengthening hockey at the national level.
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The Sports Secretary commended Mizoram for having a clear vision for sports development and expressed confidence that the state could play a significant role in India’s sporting progress. He also acknowledged Mizoram’s recent achievements in badminton and football, noting that similar success could be replicated in other disciplines.
Rao further highlighted the importance of upgrading sports institutions in Mizoram to meet the standards required for accreditation under the Khelo India programme.
The meeting was attended by Mizoram’s Resident Commissioner Shweta Chauhan, who accompanied the minister.
